Teen road safety, suicide prevention and cultural campaigners shine for Northland on NZ stage

Whangarei Girls' High School head girl Justice Hetaraka, 18, wants to see the normalisation of Maori culture and received a Change Maker Award (Cultural) award for the changes at WGHS that introduced a non-denominational school karakia. Photo/John Stone

Tai Tokerau was well represented at the New Zealand Youth Awards at Parliament last night.

Three young women were flying the Northland flag, each in their own unique manner.
Justice Hetaraka, 18, is a head girl at Whangarei Girls' High School, and received a Change Maker Award (Cultural) award.

Justice led a change at WGHS that introduced a non-denominational school karakia.

One of her desires is to see the normalisation of Maori culture. It's a visionary goal, because Whangarei - and Northland - has some way to travel to reach the point where we all acknowledge and celebrate Maori culture. But people like Justice will get us there.

Te Rau Aroha Totoro, 18, received a Change Maker Award (Community Safety) award.
Tikipunga High School student Te Rau Aroha is the mastermind and leader behind "Drive It", a community project aiming to raise youth driving standards.

And in raising driving standards, there is the hope and goal that less young people will die on Northland roads.

Te Rau Aroha not only received an award, but had the honour of being invited to speak at last night's awards.

Nina Griffiths, 18, from Kaitaia, also has the hope and goal that less young people will die unnecessarily in Northland.

Tikipunga High School student Te Rau Aroha Totoro, 18, is the mastermind and leader behind "Drive It", a community project aiming to raise youth driving standards.

She too received a Change Maker Award (Community Safety) award.

Nina has taken a lead role in bringing the Kaitaia community together, organising community meetings to generate support and awareness for mental health, in particular suicide prevention.

The programme for last night noted that "Through her leadership and determination, the township of Kaitaia is more connected than it has been in the last decade".

Northland should be very proud of these young women.

They are exceptional, they are leaders, and it is exciting to think that some day they will potentially have a hand in how our region functions, in a modern society where our Maori culture is celebrated by all of us.

Nina Griffiths, 18, from Kaitaia,has taken a lead role in bringing the Kaitaia community together, in particular around suicide prevention.